WASHINGTON DC COACH TO BE HONORED ON CAPITOL HILL FOR HELPING LOCAL YOUTH SUCCEED IN SPORTS AND BEYOND

For triathlon coach Colin Shah, teaching the basics of biking, running and swimming is just as important as using sports to teach nutrition, discipline and self-confidence. He uses his role as a leader to support the at-risk youth he works with socially, emotionally and physically – and that’s why he was named an Up2Us 2010 “Let’s Move” Coach of the Year, after the national initiative. At a time in which the US is struggling to cope with rising dropout rates, childhood obesity and gangs, Up2Us, a national coalition of youth sports programs, believes that the solutions to these problems may be as simple as supporting more coaches like Colin, who use the power of sports to inspire kids on the field and in life. Coach Colin was nominated by his own student athletes who credit him as one of most important influences in their young lives. Up2Us is honoring Coach Colin in Washington DC, where his program is based, and where he will speak to lawmakers at a reception on Capitol Hill. The contest is part of the Get Set America Summit, sponsored by Up2Us, to educate policy-makers on why supporting sports programs, like those run by Colin, are critical at a time in which school athletic budgets are being routinely cut and eliminated.

WHAT: Coach of the Year Award reception honoring coaches across the nation making a positive impact through sports based youth development.

WHO: Coach Colin Shah

WHEN: 5:30 PM, September 22, 2010

WHERE: Gold Room, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C.

WHY: Sports-based youth development programs are more critical than ever as a tool to fight childhood obesity, school drop-out rates and youth violence. Coach Colin understands this, and is making positive changes in his community every day using sports-based youth development.